Scratchie

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Congratulations mate! It’s a very active and rewarding way to fish, casting soft plastics. And that RED is a cracker! It will only get more addictive from here. So try no to stop at every tackle store looking for more plastics. 😂😂 Well done, cheers scratchie!!!

Thank you for the post Ash. I always read your dads posts mate and you could tell he loved fishing. He was a true fishraider and his posts will live on! RIP BRUCE 🎣 Regards, Scratchie!!!

Nice work on the reds! Especially on soft plastics. It’s a very addictive and active way to fish! The more you do it, the more you’ll work things out and the fish will get bigger! One thing I noticed was that you adjusted your drag after you hooked up! For me, this is a no no! With soft plastic fishing you should have a tight firm drag before you cast and don’t adjust it during the fight. The reason behind this is that the preset drag sets the tone for the battle, on big fish allows you to strike hard to set the hook and turn the fishes head asap! Just my opinion! Well done though, good fish! 😎 cheers scratchie!!!

Bonnici is the “fish god”. Anything from him will be good 🙌

A great report and some great fish there young fella 👏👏👏 cheers scratchie!!!

If you can get a sustain then buy it!! Probably the best reel I’ve ever used for snapper. cheers scratchie!!!

G’day raiders, As the warmer months approach and the fishing heats up, many of you will start to travel. For those of you heading up to Port Stephens I’ve managed to secure a permanent discount to fishraider members with Port Stephens Bait N Tackle to anyone that mentions Fishraider. Conveniently located on the corner of Shoal Bay rd and Government Rd at Shoal Bay. You can’t miss the graphics on the shop either! 😂 Happy fishing, Cheers Scratchie!!!

Hey mate, To answer your question in short, yes I always use 7 inch because I’m looking for those larger models. Although, on very tough days I will change multiple plastics, colours and different sizes to try and entice the bite. Snapper are a very aggressive fish and you will still catch a 35-40cm model on a 7 inch. The other reason is that I don’t seem to get much unwanted bicatch.

Great days fishing there Bob! Gotta be happy with that! cheers scratchie!!!

Unreal capture! Thanks for sharing! cheers scratchie!!!

Thanks for all the comments fishos! It was just great to get out there and definitely the fish were a bonus! For those interested……. I was using a, atomic offshore snapper stick 10-25lb Okuma ITX 4000 hispeed 20lb braid and 20lb leader TT 1/4 6/0 jig head Gulp yakka snack 7 inch. The other thing we noticed was that the fish were spawning. This will mean they will congregate in numbers around a small patch of reef and be very territorial. Perfect time to nail a few good ones on the inshore reefs

G’day raiders, Gees it’s been a while since I’ve managed to get out for a fish! Between work and kids sporting commitments and crap weather, the opportunities have virtually been zero for me! So after a text from fellow raider @Peter Nelson to say I was keen to get out was an understatement. We hit the water at 5am and didn’t bother chasing livies and headed straight up to the island. Began our drift with plenty of good signs but with the curse of the full moon, things were pretty slow. We hit a good ledge and Pete loads up and lands a good fish! Phewww at least we didn’t donut as that’s the way it was looking. We tried a few other areas to no avail but kept persisting. Changed areas again and with a consistent drift we kept casting. Pete changed to bait and managed a few nice pannies. I used more plastics than Kim Kardashian but settled with a darker lure for a darker day! At the end of the second drift I came up tight and the reel starts singing but it spits the hook. I cast out again and bang I’m on, and into the net goes a decent high 60’s model fish. Finally on the board and we reset the drift. We reach the same area and bang I’m on again, but this time it’s fully loaded and the reel screaming. A solid fight and some tense moments as I felt the fish grinding the jig head but into the net she goes and a solid 80cm plus fish! We change locations again and as we pull up I was distracted by my phone and turn to see Pete accidentally pick up my rod to cast. I said “you gunna use my rod now” lol. He apologises but I said nah don’t be silly, give it a go! So he casts out and without even a wind on the line he’s on to a screamer. Good fish into the bag and we decided that that was enough and we headed for home! We broke the full moon curse and got to hear the reels scream, so a successful day all round! Thanks for the day Pete! cheers scratchie!!!

Nice work Bob! I know the feeling about not getting out fishing in a while. Driving me crazy! That’s a good snaps mate! cheers scratchie!!!

Yes mate, dools filled me in! That’s an expensive couple of flathead. Good luck in Bali 👍

Hope it’s better than the last charter you took Baz from what I hear! Lol 😝 🍌 🍌🍌🍌🍌 cheers scratchie!!!

Great work guys! Sure does look cold 🥶 cheers scratchie!!!

Definitely would have been a bit cold in the tinny! Wow, a 30cm flatty would do bugger all for my family 😂 Nice looking mat as usual mate! 🤙 cheers scratchie!!!

Good to see your out wetting a line Rebel. Especially considering the atrocious conditions 🤙 cheers scratchie!!!

I’ll use live bonito for bait for big kings. But definitely a slimie head is a gun bait for big snapper! cheers scratchie!!!

Congrats on the PB! 6 metery on a chook? 😂😂 Good fish mate, well done 👍 cheers scratchie!!!

Thanks Baz. We’ll get you out there sometime. As for the whales, on Friday, the second drift we did as it hit first light, a whale full breached 20m ahead of my boat. Scared the S&@T out of me! But so majestic 🙌

Thanks. Winter is generally the best time to find a few up here! Cheers mate! Yes it can be very frustrating when commitments of work and kids get in the way of good conditions. Good luck next weekend! Cheers Bob! Yes it was a great day with the boy even though the early start is not ideal for a teenager. My new job is going well, thanks!

That’s some good fishing lads. Nothing like a day on some arm stretching kings. Still cringe at that banana though 😂😂😂 cheers scratchie!!!

Great report and some great work on your capture too! Doing a bit of research and coming up successful is very rewarding! Well done 👍 cheers scratchie!!!